I see sick people...they're everywhere

[JSUPreston]

Well, as of today at my office, we have at least 10% of our staff out due to the flu or something similar. Most of them took the shot. In the IT department, we have 1/3 of the staff on sick leave.

How's is going for you guys? I'm about to call my GP to see if he can phone in TamiFlu. I had the flu really bad in '02 or '03, and don't want it again. However, I didn't get the shot because it always makes me sick.

[mater]

My wifes work has a larger than normal out sick this time of year. Concerning the flu shot I have been taking a flu shot every year for over 20 years and it has never bothered me.

[Uncle Cracker]

However, I didn't get the shot because it always makes me sick.

The flu shots are now made with dead viruses, instead of live ones. They're not supposed to make you sick. I was in your same boat for a while, but have had a shot 5 years running, with no adverse effects.

[Pappy]

The last live virus used was the Swine Flu around 1980. That one made you sick!

I read that this year they guessed on the wrong strain and the shots aren't doing any good.

[MilDoc]

I read that this year they guessed on the wrong strain and the shots aren't doing any good.

Not quite. They got 1 out of 3 strains correct. The other two are "near misses," but should provide some cross-protection against the actual circulating strains. Which means if you get those strains you will not be as sick as someone who did not get the vaccine.

[SHADOWFOX]

The scary thing is that a key strain of circulating influenza viruses is carrying a mutation that makes it resistant to the widely used flu drug Tamiflu, but experts say only a small percentage of viruses are affected, and the vaccine still provides protection.

[Hellrazor]

I have NEVER had a flu shot and it seems like I get it less than those who do.

[Richard in Smithville]

My family gets the flu shot every year. Now, I won't say that we never get sick but when every one else is out for a week, if we get sick, we feel lousy for a day then back up and running. This year there has been a virus going around where you toss for a while, get the trots, or both together. It lasts for a day then you're fine.

[DonHo]

"This year there has been a virus going around where you toss for a while, get the trots, or both together. It lasts for a day then you're fine."

Around here it's lasting 2 to 3 days. My wife came down with it last Wednesday and it was Saturday before she was up and around. So far I've not come down with it, knock on wood.

DonHo

[crokett]

Not quite. They got 1 out of 3 strains correct. The other two are "near misses," but should provide some cross-protection against the actual circulating strains. Which means if you get those strains you will not be as sick as someone who did not get the vaccine.

I've never gotten sick from a flu shot.

Last week my entire family was sick. My wife and girls did not get a flu shot and all were sicker than I was. I was still miserable, but for only 2 days and it never made it into my chest.

In my office we have 2 guys out of 11 out sick this week.

[Bruce Cohen]

Well, I'm now part of the walking wounded. Although I got a flu shot at the beginning of the winter, I finally succumbed to something. Spent the last few days eigher in bed or in the bathroom. Hopefully, I lost some weight.

Bruce

[jspelbring]

Close to half

Nearly half of the people on my team have been out 2 or more days with this current crud - myself included. My wife started to feel bad about the time I was recovering, so she opted for the TamiFlu 5 day treatment. It helped - she didn't feel as horrible as I did, but she was not up to par for a few days.

I read somewhere that one of the flu strains this year seems to be resistant to the TamiFlu treatment. MilDoc, say it ain't so!

[MilDoc]

I read somewhere that one of the flu strains this year seems to be resistant to the TamiFlu treatment. MilDoc, say it ain't so!

'fraid so. But the resistance rate as of February 9th was 8.1% according to the CDC, and that applied only to the H1N1 strain circulating. None of the H3N2 strains (the one that can cause the most severe cases) and none of the "B" strain, have been found resistant.

So the CDC still advises use of Tamiflu.

[Adele]

Our house is a 50% wounded. The 50% includes Sam and Chase. David and myself are fine. David and I also had the flu shot. Chase got on Tamiflu the first day he started feeling bad and has made a quick recovery. Sam being the stuburn man that he is waited until day three to go to the doc and is still battling some of the symptoms. I have had the flu shot for the last three years per my doctors request and I am happy to say I have yet to have the flu. So for me and my house we will ALL be getting the flu shot from now on.

Adele

[Wood_workur]

me and my mom got one (shes a nurse, and I'm at high risk being a diabetic) and we didn't have it anywhere nearly as bad as my dad did. although we both managed to get it 1 month after the shot which is when its at is peak protection I guess.